You betrayed Biafra struggle for money – IPOB replies ex-MASSOB leader Uwazuruike
IPOB Accuses Former MASSOB Leader of Betrayal
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have accused Ralph Uwazuruike, a former leader of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), of betraying the Biafran cause in exchange for financial benefits.
The accusation was made in a statement released Saturday by Mazi Alex Chinonso Omenka, the Emekuku Unit 1 Coordinator for Owerri Zone. The response followed Uwazuruike’s appeal to the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, urging them to caution Nnamdi Kanu, the imprisoned leader of IPOB, against allegedly recruiting Igbo youths for violent activities.
IPOB criticized Uwazuruike as increasingly irrelevant and accused him of attempting to leverage Kanu’s name to gain favor with politicians opposed to Biafra. The statement described Uwazuruike’s remarks as a plea for attention.
“Uwazuruike has long since sold out the Biafran struggle,” the statement said. “He has prioritized personal profit over the cause, resembling a businessman more concerned with real estate than the quest for freedom.”
IPOB asserted that Kanu is not involved in any violence occurring in the Southeast, countering Uwazuruike’s claims. The group emphasized that individuals who have compromised their values cannot impede Kanu’s commitment to establishing a sovereign Biafran state.
The statement further clarified, “Kanu is not recruiting youths for violence. What Uwazuruike refers to as ‘recruitment’ is actually a response from our people to defend themselves.” IPOB mentioned the formation of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) as a necessary measure to protect communities from external threats.
According to IPOB, expressions of anger among youth, including videos of individuals vowing to defend themselves, should not be misconstrued as evidence of Kanu inciting violence. They characterized recent organizational changes within IPOB as efforts to strengthen the movement, rather than an endorsement of aggression.
In conclusion, IPOB criticized comparisons made by Uwazuruike between IPOB members seeking a referendum and the actions of Boko Haram. “Our youths are facing violence for simply demanding a referendum,” the statement read, expressing disdain for any perceived equivalence.
IPOB reiterated Kanu’s steadfast stance in calling for a referendum for Biafra, portraying him as a figure of resilience against pressure to betray his ideals. The statement concluded with a denunciation of those perceived as traitors, asserting that Kanu’s struggle for Biafra remains unwavering.
